Manchester, UK, Released June 1st 2021.
Greater Manchester-based homelessness charity Mustard Tree today announced that Mark Adlestone OBE DL, currently Chairman of Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, will become the new Chair of Trustees. Mark assumes the new role on June 1st 2021 after joining as a Trustee of Mustard Tree in June 2020. The charity currently operates three hubs across Manchester and Salford. Mark said:
“I’m delighted to be appointed as Chair of Trustees for Mustard Tree. The passion and values of the charity has driven the incredible response to Covid-19 and coming out of the pandemic, our unique approach to combatting poverty and preventing homelessness will be needed more than ever.’
Mark joined Beaverbrooks the Jewellers in 1979, became Joint Managing Director in 1990, sole Managing Director in 2000 and Chairman in 2012. Since 2004 to the present day, Beaverbrooks have been in the top twenty in the Top 100 ‘Best Companies to Work For.’ Beaverbrooks came 1st in 2009 and have just been named again as the country’s top employer to work for in 2021. In 2008, Adlestone was awarded the Sunday Times ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
As a former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester 2019-20, Mark’s passion for charitable work shines through and he is Patron of African and Caribbean Mental Health Services as well as an Ambassador for Triple C – Disability within the Arts. Mark is also Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester region and is Honorary Patron of The Fed, the leading social care charity for the Greater Manchester Jewish Community.
Mark succeeds Bronwen Rapley, who left Mustard Tree at the end of May 2021, after over a decade of service in the Chair of Trustees position. Bronwen remains in position as Chief Executive of Onwards Housing. Bronwen stated:
‘Mark is a perfect fit for Mustard Tree. His experience across business and philanthropy, in creating opportunities for others and his commitment to Mustard Tree is inspiring to see. I am confident that with Mark, Jo and our fellow trustees, I am leaving the charity in the best possible hands’
Since 1994, Mustard Tree has created opportunities for people to help themselves, through learning new skills, finding work and sorting out accommodation. It provides food and resources to help make a home through its Community Shops and offers creative programmes to encourage recovery and aspiration. Jo Walby, CEO of Mustard Tree said:
‘We are all delighted with Mark’s appointment. His expertise and most importantly his values align perfectly with Mustard Tree and the future plans of the charity. We are fortunate to have him as our Chair and look forward to the next phase of our development as we respond to the challenges of increasing poverty and homelessness.’ @jo_walby